As we move into summer, we are excited about the numerous changes taking place here in the studio. One of those changes is the addition of a brand new SaffronFit faculty member, Blair! She will be joining us as Zumba Fitness instructor, with her first class taking place Wednesday, June 14 at 5:30pm!

Keika is another faculty member who has been a part of the Saffron community from the very start. She is the very definition of optimism and kindness, and her unique capatcity for patience and understanding makes her a particularly adept teacher of beginner students. We can't imagine life here at the studio without her!

Malek is one of the few faculty members who has been dancing at Saffron since we opened our doors back in 2007. A staple of our community, she has a love of teaching beginners and introducing new students to the world of belly dance. Let's learn a bit about her!

One of our newer faculty members, Annie first joined the Saffron team as our resident Persian teacher in 2014, and recently joined the belly dance faculty in the fall of 2016. Although she had never considered teaching, the transition from student to teacher was a natural one and Annie has proven to be a dedicated and generous instructor. Let's learn a little more about her!

When did you first start belly dancing? What were your initial thoughts?

Blythe epitomizes where heart, generosity and talent intersect. Her relationship with this dance is so genuine and unwavering that I find myself getting emotional just thinking about how crucial she is to the richness of our community. Since the day I met her I've witnessed first-hand the joy that she exudes when she dances. She has constant humility and commitment to learning, both as a faculty member and a life long student. It's my pleasure to share a bit more about this wonderful woman, who is truly a staple of our Saffron community.

A graduate of Saffron's Teacher Training program, Dona is a powerhouse of infectious energy and good vibrations. You'll find her here at the studio teaching O1 and O2 classes, as well as her heart-pumping Shimmy Shakedown classes. When not teaching, she continues honing her skills as a member of Maqsoum Student Company and Saffron Dance Company. Recently we had a chance to chat with Dona to learn a bit more about her life, both in and out of the studio.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of my job is working with some amazing dance artists. They are not just great teachers and performers, but they are also great human beings. And what better way to begin this new "Teacher Feature" blog series than to lead with our fearless, wonderful, dedicated, diligent, and tireless Studio Manager, Linda. I had a chance to sit down with Linda and ask her a few questions and thought I would share a few tidbits that I learned.